14 DAY TRIAL // Wireless carrier Vodafone UK has launched the Apple iPhone on its airwaves only a few days ago, yet it seems that it already registered a success with the move. The operator had the iPhone available at launch both via direct and indirect channels, and the latest news around the Internet say that it will soon add 20 more partners to the list of iPhone dealers.
Initially, the company unveiled a number of 20 partners which had the iPhone available at launch, including 10 direct 'premier partner' retailers and 10 Yes Telecom 'gold partner' dealers, and it seems that it should announce more of them before the end of the month. At the same time, additional partners are expected to be confirmed by the carrier by the end of May, mobilenewscwp.co.uk states.
According to the news site, Vodafone UK provided the list of partners to Apple, which chose the initial number based on track records and their market plans. The list included 25 premier partners and around 40 gold partners, and it seems that most of them will pick up the iPhone in the not too far future. However, all interested partners are said to have to submit a business plan to Vodafone, and to enter training and accreditation process.
Vodafone UK enterprise director Peter Kelly said the following, reports Mobile News: “Although today the iPhone is very much a consumer device, more and more enterprise customers are asking for it. We have got the phone at a critical time, when uptake of Apple in the business market is increasing. The quality of the service is a differentiator. We can provide business customers with a 'sure signal' (femtocell). We have included Wi-Fi in partnership with BT.”
At the same time, he also confirmed that more partners would soon have the iPhone available for distribution, “The next 20 partners are lined up. They are currently going through Apple-approved training, and will be able to sell iPhones by our Q1, which ends in May, subject to approval.” Moreover, Kelly reportedly stated that Yes Telecom was doing a great job as a distribution arm. “Yes is performing very well. It is a vehicle dealers rate highly,” he said.